There were so many holdovers from the previous ballot that we're going through only one year this time. So I've decided to assign some blurbs for players that have been on a while that have been getting some votes.
Tag Archives: featured
The Games We Play – PunMan goes to Gen Con
Wow!
So, After I missed Geekway to the West earlier in May due to the challenges of fostering a 2 year old, my lovely, beautiful, generous wife brought up the possibility of me going to Gen Con. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity and got to finally partake in the mega event.
I had a blast. I got to try out 18 never-before-played-by-me games, and got a good luck and countless others. I also got to meet one of my favorite podcasters, Tom Vasel (who heads up the Dice Tower network). Overall, it was a very fun event, and I'd like to talk a little bit about it.
Thursday: I arrived on Thursday a little after noon. Since hotels were pretty rare, my family and I took our pop-up camper to a Yogi Bear Campground east of Indy. I stuck around in the morning to help set up, so I was a little late getting to the Con. Once I got there, I had the pleasure of waiting in Will Call for my tickets. It wasn't nearly as bad a line as people made it out to be.
Next, I checked out the main Exhibit Hall. This area is MASSIVE. Hundreds of game publishers, artists, gamers and cosplayers filled this hall. Really, I could spend all 4 days just in this main exhibit hall. The first thing I wanted to do was meet Tom Vasel, so I hauled buns to the other side of the Hall and said hello. Once that was done, I could properly play games.
Note: I'll go over many of these games very quickly. I plan on going into more detail about them every Monday in my CoC segment: Punman's Board Game of the Week.
The first game I tried out was Bottom of the Ninth. A fun dice based baseball sim that I'll be checking out more once it's out for purchase (you could only pre-order it at the Con). Next, I tried Lords of Vegas, which I liked enough. Then on to Kingdom Builder (by the same guy that made Dominion). I ended my day's journey in the Exhibit Hall with Queen's Architect (which I shared about on Monday). This was my favorite game, and I wish I could've played it more.
After the Exhibit Hall closed, I strolled over to the Event Hall and tried out a new game called Phoenix Covenant,which was billed as a combo of Final Fantasy Tactics and Magic the Gathering. This was probably my least favorite game of the Con. I was taught by the designers and I still felt like I was missing information about how to play the game. I think it's still in beta stage, so hopefully the end product will be better.
Friday: I started in the Event Hall again and began with a full game of Five Tribes. I'd been hearing a lot of buzz about this game ever since last year's Con. Lemme tell ya, it's earned it. If you have a chance to play this, I recommend checking it out.
Next, I wandered the Main Exhibit Hall again, and tried out a game called Noir. It was an interesting detective themed card game. Next, I tried Mice and Mystics, which had been on my list for a while. I have a feeling the theme of this game would be very fun for my kids, though I did not get into it as much as I thought I would. Next I tried a game called Shear Panic about moving sheep around a pasture and getting points. I thought the kids would end up liking it (and I was right), so I ended up buying it. To close out my adventures in the Exhibit Hall, I tried Kennerspiel Des Jahres 2014 winner Istanbul. Another top-notch game that's near the top of my wish list.
To end the day, I got in line for a live taping of the Dice Tower podcast. 500 event tickets were sold for an event held in a 400 chair room. And I only had a generic ticket, which meant I was lower priority. I made friends in the generic ticket line, and met this lovely couple who was celebrating their 10th Anniversary. They talked about how they got a bunch of games really cheap by playing up their special day. Anyway, I got to play a few rounds of a new game called Spyfall. The Dice Tower folks have been raving about this one, but it didn't click with me very well. After our game, the event line picked up, but even after everyone from that line was in, our line did not move. We were concerned. The husband of the Anniversary couple went up to talk to a guy to see what was going on. A moment later he was waving toward us, but he stopped me and said only his wife could come with him, and we realized he had used the "It's our Anniversary" ploy on the ticket taker (son of a...). Anyway, I did finally get in, and I had a blast watching the podcast live (they sang again!)
Saturday: I arrived Saturday morning in the same parking lot I had been going to all week. As I got out of my car, who should parked next to me but a colleague from work, who incidentally told me about the lot. So we walked in and checked out Star Trek: Five-Year Mission together. To my surprise, I really enjoyed the game. Next, I played a game of Catan: Junior, mainly to get a Mayfair ribbon (demo 5 Mayfair games, get a coupon for 50% off), but also to see if it was something my kids would like. Then I hopped into a five-player game of Steam. Fun, deep, heavy game about building rails and shipping goods in Germany. Good stuff.
After that I headed to one of the surrounding hotels to check out the Stonemaier Games room. Stonemaier is based in St. Louis, and one of the designers (Jamey Stegmaier) is a friend of a friend. They are also known for their kick-ass Kickstarter projects. I played Viticulture, which, like Five Tribes, had been at the top of my want-to-play list. After that, I stuck around and got to play a game that has yet to be released, Between Two Cities. I also got a look at a big buzz game called Scythe, that has many gamers drooling already. (The artwork has workers in a field while mechs are battling in the background.)
Finally, I wandered the Event Hall and found a pickup game of Village (2012 Kennerspiel Des Jahres winner).
Sunday: Sunday was Family Fun Day, so after packing up the camper, we got there (kinda late) around 2 pm. We only had a couple hours to check out the Exhibit Hall. I showed the kids Shear Panic, and we ended up buying it with our 50% off coupon. To finish it off, my son and I played Krosmaster Arena, which was fun, but a little steep in price.
Verdict: I knew going in that Gen Con was big and boisterous and even expensive. However, knowing these things helped me temper my expectations. The spectacle of all the new games, the costumes (many of which were awesome), and the crowds were awesome to behold. This was a bucket list thing for me, and I'm so glad I got to experience it. I got to play a boatload of games, some brand new and not even available yet. I got to meet designers for many of the games (one from Finland), and I got to do it on my schedule since I was by myself. However, next time I go, I'll be bringing a friend or two.
If you love board games, role-playing games, cosplaying, miniatures games, magic the gathering, people watching, etc, check out Gen Con.
So, that's been what I've been up to, what have y'all been playing?!
WGOM Summer Mix 2015 (OFFICIAL POST)
Okay, so, a couple of hiccups. I would like to note the following amends:
Algonad: I already had that song in my library, so while looking for the ones I didn't have, I told myself I'd throw that one in later. Never did. Sorry.
Zack: I originally couldn't find that Eskimeaux track and was going to get back to it, but never followed up. The Speedy Ortiz track was the last song to be cut, so if it's not too uncool, I'm just going to reintroduce that one.
Whoever's supplemental tracks I ended up cutting (still haven't checked who submitted what again): I debated between just adding the previously noted tracks, or to keep true to the original 90 minute idea. I came down on the latter.
IN ADDITION
Should you feel like it, I've added a ratings bar to this post. Let us know what you think of this years mix (and if you're saucy enough, tell us why below).
Anyway, with a slightly rejiggered lineup, here is the official WGOM Summer Mix 2015:
Track# | Dude(s)/Dudette(s) | Track Name |
---|---|---|
01. | Jamie xx | Gosh |
02. | Mitski | Townie |
03. | Courtney Barnett | Pedestrian At Best |
04. | WALK THE MOON | Shut Up And Dance |
05. | Carpenter Brut | Turbo Killer |
06. | Vinny Chase ft. Kid Art | Harlem Roses |
07. | Sleater-Kinney | Hey Darling |
08. | Alabama Shakes | The Greatest |
09. | San Fermin | Jackrabbit |
10. | Black Diet | Nothing to Say |
11. | Mark Ronson Ft. Amy Winehouse | Valerie |
12. | Joywave Tongues ft KOPPS | Tongues |
13. | Kendrick Lamar | King Kunta |
14. | JD McPherson | Let The Good Times Roll |
15. | Hospitality | I Miss Your Bones |
16. | La Luz | Pink Slime |
17. | Bleachers | I Wanna Get Better |
18. | Speedy Ortiz | My Dead Girl |
19. | Destroyer | Dream Lover |
20. | EULA | Like No Other |
21. | Father John Misty | Chateau Lobby #4 (In C For Two Virgins) |
22. | Sturgill Simpson | Living The Dream |
23. | James Bay | Hold Back The River |
24. | Built To Spill | When I'm Blind |
I've created a revised Spotify playlist (I also couldn't find the Vinny Cha$e song), however I can't figure out a way to get it to play in order (again, song order was heavily considered). In that case, one could conceivably check this out (EDIT: if you want a link to the mix in a way that can loaded the opposite of up, email me at my user name (no spaces or puncuation)/at\the domain of this here website.
Fourth Tuesday Movie Day: Superhero Flicks
brianS saw Ant Man ... I still haven't seen the most recent Avengers and there have been about 12 new movies released in the interim. How can anyone keep up?
Bum wheel
I ran a trail run on Thursday night at Penwood State Forest with some friends - good temps, great run. At one point, I tripped on a root and started to fall, but recovered. Didn't notice anything weird that night.
All day Friday I felt sore, and it hurt to stand up. This morning, we were to do a triathlon at Lake Waramaug (Hopkins) and I could barely stand from a sitting position without wincing pain.
NBBW did well but I sat it out, and read Pynchon in a camp chair along the route. Not sure what the injury is but I'm thinking something in the hamstring cluster.
What is the Nation doing for fitness besides watching the Tour de France trying to run over cows?
Space Dewatering … Civilian-style
When I was in the Navy, one of the mainstays of our damage control training was using Peri-jet eductors to dewater spaces. As you can probably imagine, getting water out of your ship as quickly as possible has benefits...in combat situations, your ship is generally your only way home. Imagine my surprise yesterday at being called on to put that training to use.
First Monday Book Day: July
Talking to Ourselves by Andres Neuman is a short novel from the Argentinian author that I read last month. I had read the first novel of his to be translated (Traveler of the Century) a few years ago and that was a huge 600 page novel of ideas. This book is very much the opposite of that, it is short and immediate and has a significant impact.
There are three narrators; Lito, the child, Elena, the mother, and Mario, the father who is dying of cancer, but hiding that fact from his son. All three of the characters are hiding things but the father's illness and approaching death shadows the book throughout. Father and son embark on a cross country trip that for the father is a last chance to create a memory, and for Lito is his first chance to truly enter his father's adult world. All three narrative arcs continue to dance around each other always approaching, but never do they actually connect and find common ground.
It's a book about family and grief and illness. Each of the three narrators is so fully realized and observed by Neuman that the book comes together very well. Neuman has become one of those authors that I will follow and read whatever comes out from him next (a story collection is coming in October, I hear - consider me excited).
That was one of my favorite books I've read in the first half of the year. Hopefully, you all have had similarly great reading experiences this month and we can while away the next few days discussing them.
Players of the Month: June
Our monthly honors.
The Games We Play – Summer Rollin’
So, after going for a couple months with barely playing any games, I've been rollin' in games the last couple weeks.
No Thanks - This is a pretty simple card game. There are numbered cards ranging from 3 to 35. Nine are randomly taken out of the deck. The rest are placed face down. Everyone gets 11 tokens. From the face down deck, one card is laid face up. The starting player decides whether they want to take the card, or say "no thanks" and put a token into the pot. The goal is to end up with the least points. Tokens work as negative points. Eventually, there are enough tokens in the center to make it worth taking the card, or someone runs out of tokens and HAS to take the card. It's a fun, simple quick game.
Dread Pirate - Now, I know the name sounds great for this game, but it's painfully dull. It's a roll-n-move game, where the goal is to get the most loot from four different ports and a center island called Dread Island. There's not a whole lot of depth to this, but the components were awesome. It had a cloth map as the player board, and heavy pewter ships to sail around on it.
Love Letter - quick short game that sounds girlier than it is. Goal is to end up with the highest numbered card. Each card has some text to determine what you do. Pretty quick and fun. Excited to try out the Batman version someday.
Trajan - This has been by far the heaviest game I've played lately. By designer Stefan Feld (his games have somewhat of a cult following). This game uses a mancala mechanism to determine what action you take on your turn. There are six different action types, and the way you weave them all together can get you points in a variety of ways. This has really climbed up my favorites list. I bought it used on BoardGameGeek, but I also play it on boiteajeux.net.
Agricola - I recently got this game used, and I've gotten it to the table 4 times in the last month. I've heard that you either love this game or hate this game. It's a worker placement game where the goal is to build the best farm. You can build up your home, build pastures, plow and sow fields and grow crops. There are also occupation cards and minor improvement cards, but I haven't gotten around to introducing those to the kids yet. I also play this occasionally on boiteajeux.net.
La Isla - I got this game for Christmas. On Father's Day, I finally got enough pull to get this to the table. It's another Feld (like Trajan), but the theme and mechanics are a mismatch. The theme is very light - it's all about capturing long extinct animals on a mysterious island - appeals very well to kids. The mechanics are complicated enough that kids either don't get it, or it just isn't fun.
I'm starting to get into a groove. It feels good. I just found another game group that meets on Fridays. They do mostly D&D type stuff, but the last Friday is always board games. I'm anxious to try it out next week. I've also been hitting a Wed lunchtime group at work that plays mainly 7 Wonders, but is open to other games as well.
In the meantime, when I can't get to the table I also tend to play a lot of games online.
boiteajeux.net - Quite a variety of games. The ones I play most often are Castles of Burgundy, Trajan, Alhambra, and Agricola. It has a ton of other games too.
yucata.de - Similar to boite, this one has quite a few games, some of them simple abstract type games, but there are a couple bigger, weighier games on it. My favorites are Russian Railroads, Castles of Burgundy (I play on both sites), Can't Stop, Way of the Dragon, Stone Age, and Just For Fun
My username on both sites is "joepunman" in case anyone is interested in starting a game with me. Both sites are primarily correspondence type sites, where you make a couple moves a day, and just take your turn when you get a chance. You can play live, but I rarely do.
So, if you get bored watching the Twins or got voted out of Survivor, come try your hand at an online board game. Or let me know what else you've been playing lately!
Movie Day
Okay, let's do this. I've seen a good amount of movies since I last got to talk about them, so hopefully today allows me to BS about movies.